Tractor Supply Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results

Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States (the “Company”), reported financial results for its fourth quarter (13 weeks) and fiscal year (52 weeks) ended December 30, 2023. The comparable prior-year periods in fiscal 2022 included 14 weeks and 53 weeks, respectively.

• Fourth Quarter Sales Performance Was in Line with the Company’s Expectations with a Comparable Store Sales Decline of 4.2%
• Fiscal Year 2023 Net Sales Increased 2.5%; Fiscal Year Comparable Store Sales Were Even with the Prior Year
• Fourth Quarter Diluted Earnings per Share (“EPS”) of $2.28 and Fiscal Year 2023 Diluted EPS of $10.09
• Returned More Than $1.0 Billion of Capital to Shareholders in Fiscal Year 2023
• Company Provides Fiscal Year 2024 Diluted EPS Outlook of $9.85 to $10.50

“As we recently marked Tractor Supply’s milestone 85^th anniversary, my thanks and appreciation go out to our more than 50,000 Team Members for their dedication to Life Out Here and for living our Mission and Values.While our financial performance in 2023 did not meet our initial expectations, our team successfully navigated a highly dynamic environment with agility, operational resiliency and a focus on our strategic investments. As we exit 2023, our business has never been stronger. Our healthy customer engagement, all time high customer satisfaction scores, peak productivity of our supply chain, technology enhancements and the scaled transformation of our store base all serve as proof points of the strength of our business,” said Hal Lawton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Supply.

“In 2024, we will continue to invest to strengthen our competitive advantages and to capture the significant growth opportunities in our market. We believe that our business can continue to perform well in the coming yearsgiven the investments we have made in our Life Out Here strategy. We remain excited about our bright future and are committed to delivering sustained long-term value creation for our shareholders,”said Lawton.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased 8.6% to $3.66 billion from $4.01 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022. The prior year’s fourth quarter included an extra sales week as part of the Company’s 53-week calendar in 2022, which negatively impacted the period over period sales performance by approximately 5.6 percentage points. The decrease in net sales was also attributable to a decline in comparable store sales, partially offset by positive sales contributions from new stores. Comparable store sales decreased 4.2%, as compared to an increase of 8.6% in the prior year’s fourth quarter, driven by a comparable average ticket decline of 1.5% and a comparable average transaction count decline of 2.7%. Comparable store sales performance reflects continued strength in year-round consumable, usable and edible (“C.U.E.”) categories, offset by softness in cold weather products, discretionary categories and, to a lesser extent, big ticket items. In the fourth quarter of 2022, comparable store sales benefited by approximately 200 basis points from a late December winter storm.

Gross profit decreased 5.2% to $1.29 billion from $1.36 billion in the prior year’s fourth quarter, while gross margin increased 129 basis points to 35.3% from 34.0% in the prior year’s fourth quarter. The gross margin rate increase was attributable to ongoing lower transportation costs and disciplined product cost management, modestly offset by negative product mix. Gross margin continued to benefit from the Company’s ongoing execution of an everyday low price strategy, complemented by the use of its Neighbor’s Club loyalty program.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, decreased 4.5% to $958.8 million from $1.00 billion in the prior year’s fourth quarter. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 113 basis points to 26.2% from 25.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in SG&A as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to the Company’s planned growth investments, which included higher depreciation and amortization and the onboarding of a new distribution center, as well as higher medical claims and fixed cost deleverage. These factors were partially offset by a decrease in incentive compensation and the completion of a previously announced sale-leaseback of five Tractor Supply store locations. The sale-leaseback benefited SG&A by approximately 40 basis points.

Operating income decreased 7.0% to $334.2 million from $359.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The effective income tax rate was 23.1% compared to 22.4% in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Net income decreased 8.5% to $247.9 million from $270.9 million. Diluted EPS decreased 6.2% to $2.28 compared to $2.43 in the fourth quarter of 2022. The benefit of the 53^rd week contributed approximately $0.16 to diluted EPS in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The Company repurchased approximately 0.5 million shares of its common stock for $110.4 million and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $111.4 million, returning $221.8 million of capital to shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The Company opened 19 new Tractor Supply stores and three new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores, and closed one Tractor Supply store in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Net sales for fiscal 2023 increased 2.5% to $14.56 billion from $14.20 billion in fiscal 2022. Comparable store sales were even with the prior year versus a 6.3% increase in fiscal 2022.

Gross profit increased 5.1% to $5.23 billion from $4.97 billion in fiscal 2022, and gross margin increased 92 basis points to 35.9% from 35.0% in fiscal 2022.

SG&A expenses, including depreciation and amortization and asset impairment, increased 6.0% to $3.75 billion from $3.54 billion in fiscal 2022. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 86 basis points to 25.8% from 24.9% in fiscal 2022.

Operating income increased 3.1% to $1.48 billion compared to $1.43 billion in fiscal 2022.

The effective income tax rate was 22.7% compared to 22.5% in fiscal 2022.

Net income increased 1.7% to $1.11 billion from $1.09 billion, and diluted EPS increased 3.9% to $10.09 from $9.71 in fiscal 2022. The benefit of the 53^rd week contributed approximately $0.16 to diluted EPS in fiscal 2022.

In fiscal 2023, the Company repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares of its common stock for $597.0 million. The Company also paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $449.6 million during fiscal 2023, returning $1.05 billion of capital to shareholders.

During fiscal 2023, the Company opened 70 new Tractor Supply stores and 13 new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores, and closed one Tractor Supply store and one Petsense by Tractor Supply store. In 2023, the Company rebranded 81 Orscheln Farm and Home stores to Tractor Supply that it acquired in 2022.

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About Tractor Supply Company

For 85 years, Tractor Supply Company has been passionate about serving the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts and all those who enjoy living Life Out Here. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., ranking 291 on the Fortune 500. The Company’s more than 50,000 Team Members are known for delivering legendary service and helping customers pursue their passions, whether that means being closer to the land, taking care of animals or living a hands-on, DIY lifestyle. In store and online, Tractor Supply provides what customers need – anytime, anywhere, any way they choose at the low prices they deserve.

As of September 30, 2023, the Company operated 2,198 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states, including 81 stores acquired from Orscheln Farm and Home in 2022. For more information on Tractor Supply, visit www.tractorsupply.com.

Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense by Tractor Supply, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer providing products and services for pet owners. As of September 30, 2023, the Company operated 195 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in 23 states. For more information on Petsense by Tractor Supply, visit www.Petsense.com.

Contact:

Mary Winn Pilkington – Media Contact – corporatecommunications@tractorsupply.com – (615) 440-4212

Source: Tractor Supply Company